Meg Lanning’s plan for Perth Scorchers WBBL success

Meg Lanning has vowed to use her injury lay-off to take her destructive game to a new level, declaring there is nowhere to hide in international cricket.

Speaking for the first time about her decision to sign with Perth Scorchers for the next three Women’s Big Bash League seasons, Lanning revealed she was now back in the nets and hoping to return to the field in mid-February after shoulder surgery in August.

The Scorchers open their campaign in WBBL03 against Brisbane Heat at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

And though Lanning will watch from the sidelines, she is doing what she can to have an impact.

The 25-year-old said it was a tough decision to leave Melbourne Stars, where she was the captain and leading run scorer in the first two WBBL seasons.

But the Victorian believes there will be more movement in the women’s game in the coming years.

“I got a really good opportunity to come over to Perth and play under Lisa Keightley,” Lanning said.

“I think the program is really well set up and the playing squad is really good as well.

“I’m around the group a fair bit, which is nice to get to know everyone and understand sort of how the program works.”

Lanning said the Perth women had what it took to go one better this season after finishing runners-up in WBBL02.

They warmed up for their season opener with wins over reigning champions the Sydney Sixers as well as the Melbourne Renegades in practice matches this week.

“I think the playing list has a good mix of experienced players and some younger players,” Lanning said.

“The internationals we’ve got are really high quality as well, so we’re definitely looking to win the competition.

“If we can start well and get some momentum going we should get into the finals first and then go from there.”

Lanning is considered the best female batter in the world but will not be resting on her laurels after a tough year in which she played through the shoulder injury at the World Cup and then had to sit out the victorious Ashes campaign.

“It has definitely given me a different perspective on things,” she said.

“When you’re in it and you’re playing and training all the time you don’t get a lot of time to reflect and see what things are going well and what things you can work on.

“It’s a good chance to identify a couple of things to improve my game and make sure I try and stay ahead of the opposition.

“I don’t think there is anywhere to hide these days in international cricket, everyone knows your strengths and weaknesses pretty well so that’s a good period for me to be able to do that.”